Jen Maddocks is our TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week. She's getting ready for the consignment sale she runs: the Kid's Co-op. The sale will help to raise money for a local family moving to help needy children in Haiti.

Here's Jen ....

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Jen: I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio (a Browns fan!) – I went to college at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and then to Graduate School at The University of Pittsburgh. I met my husband, Ralph (a Steelers fan!); in grad school and we have 3 children – Grace, Sophia, and Owen Charles.. Overall we have a very united family except for two Sundays a year that are known as Separation Sunday in our household – Ralph and Gracie root for the Steelers – Sophie and I root for the Browns – and Owen thinks they both should win!!!

After living in Pittsburgh for a while, we moved to Triangle in September 2000 and have called it home ever since. We really love it here!

I have been a physical therapist for the past twelve years and I currently work part-time specializing in women’s health PT and pelvic disorders. I also work one morning a week at my son’s preschool.

The Kid’s Co-op started in November 2007 when a friend of mine and I decided to try our hand at consignment sales. We had our first sale with 10 friends at her house. Since then I have really enjoyed putting these sales together. It has been exciting to see something like this grow!

The Spring 2009 Sale is Thursday April 23 to Saturday April 25. The sale will be at Crosspointe Church in Cary (which is located at 6911 Carpenter Fire Station Rd Cary 27519 – just off of Highway 55.)

Twenty-five percent of the sales profits will be going to support a local family who is relocating to the Haitian Children’s Home to care for 20 abandoned/orphaned children and ANYONE who brings in a donation of one of the following:

· a new pillow

· a new bath or beach towel

· new multipack of underwear (any size -boys or girls ranging from ages 6-12)

· new multipack of socks (for same ages)

WILL BE ALLOWED TO SHOP TWO HOURS EARLY STARTING AT 9 a.m. on Friday 4/24!!! We would love to see a bunch of people coming to shop early to support this amazing cause.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the sale can check out the website at

www.thekidsco-op.com or email me.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Jen: Our favorite family place in the Triangle is the Morrisville Community Park. My kids call it the Blue Park (I have no idea why!) - It is close to home and is great for running around or riding bikes. They always have all kinds of great programs - especially during the summer and around the various holidays throughout the year.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself?

Jen: My favorite place for me in the Triangle is our church - Crosspointe – it is somewhere I can go to fill up and be ready for the week ahead. Then when we get back with the kids again, the lessons in “big” church and the various children’s areas come together and inspire great conversation at our house. I just love that!

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your kids?

Jen: Sitting with my kids at the end of the day talking about all of the things going on in their lives and cooking with them – (Gracie, my 9 yo, makes a mean risotto). Our family’s favorite tradition is going to Disney every 2-3 years – we have family meetings and plan out our attack – I think my husband loves it the most!

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night? Can you share a recipe?

Jen: Dinner last night was -- Chicken and Gluten-Free Dumplings. We make it a little different every time but the basic recipe is:

3-4 chicken breasts

A large onion, 4-5 carrots, 4-5 celery stalks, a few leeks – all chopped

48 oz of your favorite chicken stock

Herbs d’ Provence (or any herbs you like)

Salt/Pepper

Cook the veggies and spices in a little stock – until fairly soft. Bake the chicken as desired (I usually do a partial bake b/c I let it spend some time in the Crockpot.)

For Dumplings: 2.5 C Gluten free flour (we use the pizza crust dough flour from whole foods), ½ t salt, approx 1 T. baking powder, 6 T butter - chopped into small pieces - and whatever you want to flavor the dumplings – such as scallions or parmesan or garlic. Mix all of those together until it forms a slightly crumbly mixture. Mix in approx. 1 cup milk so that it creates dough. Heat the stock – make the dumplings into small balls and cook them for 15-20 minutes.

Everything can be cooked through and served right away or you can mix it all together and let it finish in the Crockpot for awhile.

If you prefer – you can add extra stock and water to turn it into a soup which is also great.

This meal is a family favorite, everyone helps to make it and even my 4 yo asks for seconds – plus it makes great leftovers!!

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Jen: I have too many!!

Rainy weather – curling up with a cup of tea and a great book

All weather – BUTTERFINGERS

And for a fantastic once a year or two splurge – The Spa at Pinehurst. Go alone or with a couple of friends and you will have a great time!

If you know a mom we should feature, e-mail me.